Tony Abbott has launched a staunch defence of the First Fleet and Australia Day.

In his first regular chat with Ray Hadley for 2018, the former Prime Minister discussed the ongoing Change The Date campaign, Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership and a nasty cycling crash he had over the summer break.

“Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all of the things we’ve achieved.

“I would also argue Ray that what happened on the 26th of January 1788 was on balance for everyone, Aboriginal people included, a good thing.

“All of the things that we know and love about modern Australia are the lineal descendants of the attitudes that came ashore with the First Fleet on that day back in 1788.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the contribution that the Aboriginal ethos has made to the wider Australian ethos.

“That easy going, stoicism, that laconic style that so characterises Australians is typical of the spirit that pervades indigenous Australia.”

The former PM also commented on Malcolm Turnbull edging closer to his record of 29 consecutive Newspoll losses, defending the man who knifed him.

“It’s not the polls that count, it’s the quality of government that counts.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview